Diodorus

Question 1

What books of Diodorus are studied here?

Answer 1

The universal history, also known as the Bibliotheca Historica.

Question 2

What does Diodorus write of Aristeides? what is this supported by?

Answer 2

Gives an account of his fairness (11.46-47). This is supported by the archaeological evidence; the tribute figures. These tribute figures show that cities contributed according to size and ability to pay.

Question 3

What does Diodorus write of Spartan response to the overthrowing of Pausanias 478BC? What seemingly contradicts this?

Answer 3

Diodorus (11.50) has a story that suggests that the Spartans were soon alarmed by Athens’ new status with the Aegean forces. Thucydides, however, writes that the Spartans were content to leave the leadership of the alliance to Athens. Diodorus’ passage does speak of pro-peace and pro-war factions within Sparta, it is possible then that if the pro-peace faction won out, as Diodorus claims, that Thucydides just didn’t acknowledge the presence of dissenting views in Sparta.

Question 4

What event does Diodorus mention after the Athenian defeat to Persia in Egypt?

Answer 4

The moving of the Delian league treasury from Delos to Athens in 454/3 (12.38.2)

Question 5

What does Diodorus claim happened as a result of the Athenian campaign in Cyprus 451/50 BC?

Answer 5

Diodorus claims that the successes of the Athenians led to the Persians proposing a peace treaty. He further records that the Athenians sent a delegation under Callias to negotiate the terms 450/49 BC.

Question 6

According to Diodorus, what were the main terms of the peace of Callias?

Answer 6

1. All the Greek cities were to live under laws of their own making,
2. The Satraps of Persia were not to come nearer to the Aegean sea than a three days’ journey and no Persian warship was to sail inside of Phaselis or the Cyanean rocks,
3. If these terms were followed by the Persian king and his generals, the Athenians were not to invade Persian territory.